Suppressor Variable Effects: Toward Understanding an Elusive Data Dynamic.

Abstract

The important and sometimes difficult-to-grasp concept of regression suppressor variable effects is explored. An inquiry into the phenomenon of suppressor effects is accomplished via a synthesis of the existing literature and the use of a small heuristic data set to improve the accessibility of the concept. Implications for researchers are also forwarded and it is suggested that the search for suppressor variables in an effort to remove unwanted predictor variable variance may prove less efficient than the search for additional predictor variables which directly explain variance in the criterion variable of interest. However, when they are present, suppressor effects can be critical to note and interpret. (Contains 1 figure, 3 tables, and 14 references.) (Author) ******************************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ******************************************************************************** Suppressor Variable Effects: Toward Understanding An Elusive Data Dynamic David H. Henard Texas A&M University College Station, TX 77843-4112 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) his document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Southwest Educational Research Association, Houston, January, 1998.